Do you shoot in the rain, how do you mind your gear?

[dnme]

Like the title says, I'm wondering how people go about shooting in the rain or even coping with unexpected showers etc. I have a Canon DSLR (70D) and a growing collection (well 1 or 2) of lenses plus a decent tripod. But I just tend not to expose it to any kind of rain. I'm scared it'll damage my gear. Now having said that, I live in the west of Ireland and there are some great landscapes to be had here in bad weather.

Any tips for coping with rain?

 

[table1349]

Unexpected showers = https://optechusa.com/rainsleeve.html Keep them in my bag at all times.

Long term shooting in the rain = Think Tank Photo Hydrophobia 300-600 Raincover V2.0 | Outdoor Photo Gear | Pro Photography Gear, Tripods and Photo Accessories for Wildlife, Landscape, and Nature Photographers Well worth the money for shooting in continuous or hard rain.

 

[Overread14 2]

My tips;

1) OPTech Rainsleeve - you get two in a pack and they are pretty cheap. Just pull them out of a pocket and slide them over the lens and the camera and you're protected. Barring Pentax most DSLRs on the market are only weather-proofed rather than fully sealed. As a result they are resistant but not impervious. Most will shrug off a light bit of rain and higher end bodies and lenses can take quite a pounding.
Thing is if water gets under buttons or dirt/grime gets in even if when it dries out its fine it might be a slippery tricky beast to use - so some cover is important. The Rainsleeves are a cheap and fast to use item; there are higher end options on the market but htey cost a lot more, although you gain in a lot more durability.

2) Don't take the lens on/off without cover - basic common sense.

3) Tripods should be fine with rainwater, the only thing you'd need to do is strip them down to clean them up if you use it in salt water or a very mineral heavy river/lake. Saltwater especially will get into every part and cause all kinds of problems and abrasions you don't want.
You can also wrap the legs in a plastic bag before putting it into such water to help ward off the worst. Also remember if you're a the seaside salt water sprays up at the beach so keep the camera covered and still wash down the tripod after use.

4) Lens hoods - use them. They help shield the lens against waterdrops and that means you don't have to wipe it clean as often (which reduces the chances of causing scratches; esp when you're out and about in bad weather).

The key is to go prepared and not to panic.

 

[AceCo55]

Unexpected showers = https://optechusa.com/rainsleeve.html Keep them in my bag at all times.

Long term shooting in the rain = Think Tank Photo Hydrophobia 300-600 Raincover V2.0 | Outdoor Photo Gear | Pro Photography Gear, Tripods and Photo Accessories for Wildlife, Landscape, and Nature Photographers Well worth the money for shooting in continuous or hard rain.

I began by using sleeves but found two annoying issues:
1) the back of the sleeve is open and rain tends to hit the back of the camera
2) in windy conditions, the sleeve flaps about and is hard to control whilst shooting

I ended up with the Think Tank Hydrophobias ... 70-200mm and 300-600mm. I also got eyepieces for each of my camera bodies.
Couldn't be happier. The only part of the camera that is exposed is the front element. Using lens hood and cloth tends to that.
The rest of the lens/camera is completely protected.
I have shot for hours in heavy rain with not a drop on my camera - very reassuring.

There seems to have been some confusion. When I mentioned a "sleeve", I was not referring to Optech Rainsleeves about which I have no knowledge.

 

[shaylou]

I use an umbrella. Who knew! Lol

 

[Overread14 2]

Ace - how long a lens are you using? The Rainsleeve should slide over most lenses and the camera body and still have more than enough length to cover your arm as well.

 

[bratkinson]

I have to consider my reasons for actually -wanting- to shoot in the rain. Unless there's some reason I want the rain to essentially 'add' to the picture (mood, composition, situational), I'm unwilling to go out for some 'ho-hum' drab rain shots. Shooting in the rain won't yield any bright, eye-popping colors, but you might get lucky and get a rainbow or two. I even saw a triple rainbow while I was at work 3-4 years ago.

So when I DO decide to shoot in the rain, I take the easy way out. Stay in my car and shoot from the car...or somebody elses' car and let them drive. Perhaps someday I'll be somewhere in the rain and want to shoot and can't do it from the car. I'm thinking a small trash can baggie with a hole cut out of the bottom for the front element and a rubber band to hold it all in place should do the trick. Or...next time I order something at B&H, maybe I'll actually REMEMBER to get a rainsleeve or two.

 

[table1349]

I use an umbrella. Who knew! Lol

And you look so good.......

 

[imagemaker46]

I shoot in whatever conditions I have to work in. I use a disposable green garbage bag, several of which I carry with me all the time, along with a roll of duct tape. When the rain stops, I throw the bag away. No fuss worrying about folding up and putting a wet cover back in my bag. It's simple and costs very little. You can also use the bag to kneel on if the ground is wet as well, or as a quick disposable rain coat.

 

[Judobreaker]

My cameras and lenses are supposed to be weather sealed aren't they?
I've used them during rain multiple times and I haven't had any problems whatsoever. Be sure to check whether your gear is weather sealed before even trying this though. ^^

 

[dnme]

My cameras and lenses are supposed to be weather sealed aren't they?
I've used them during rain multiple times and I haven't had any problems whatsoever. Be sure to check whether your gear is weather sealed before even trying this though. ^^

. . . and the manufacturer tells me that my car does 55+mpg. Best Ive ever got is 40 driving conservatively. Thanks all for the replies.

 

[AceCo55]

Ace - how long a lens are you using? The Rainsleeve should slide over most lenses and the camera body and still have more than enough length to cover your arm as well.

Oh oh - my apologies for the confusion. "Rainsleeve" is the name of a specific product and I was using the generic term "sleeve" to describe a simple tube of waterproof material with an elastic closing strip at one end. The other end is just a simple opening.
Very sorry if I gave the impression of using a "Rainsleeve" - I have no experience with that product.

 

[Judobreaker]

My cameras and lenses are supposed to be weather sealed aren't they?
I've used them during rain multiple times and I haven't had any problems whatsoever. Be sure to check whether your gear is weather sealed before even trying this though. ^^

. . . and the manufacturer tells me that my car does 55+mpg. Best Ive ever got is 40 driving conservatively. Thanks all for the replies.

Haha true, but in this situation camera manufacturers tend to underestimate their weather sealing instead of overestimating it. Most cameras can take quite a beating.
Better safe then sorry though, even though I'm not afraid of rain I probably wouldn't risk extreme weather like some others do.

 

[Virgil]

Back in the film days i shot many college football games in the rain with only garbage bags for protection, guess they would do fine for digital cameras.

 

[ronlane]

I shoot in whatever conditions I have to work in. I use a disposable green garbage bag, several of which I carry with me all the time, along with a roll of duct tape. When the rain stops, I throw the bag away. No fuss worrying about folding up and putting a wet cover back in my bag. It's simple and costs very little. You can also use the bag to kneel on if the ground is wet as well, or as a quick disposable rain coat.

A professional DIY photographer. Now there's a role model. (intent is to be funny.) That's a heck of an idea Scott, but I think I'll make mine the white bag to make people think I'm shooting L glass, lol.